levy

n.; pl. Levies [ A contr. of elevenpence or elevenpenny bit. ] A name formerly given in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia to the Spanish real of one eighth of a dollar (or 121/2 cents), valued at eleven pence when the dollar was rated at 7s. 6d. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. levée, fr. lever to raise. See Lever, and cf. Levee. ] 1. The act of levying or collecting by authority; as, the levy of troops, taxes, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

A levy of all the men left under sixty. Thirlwall. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is levied, as an army, force, tribute, etc. “ The Irish levies.” Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Law) The taking or seizure of property on executions to satisfy judgments, or on warrants for the collection of taxes; a collecting by execution. [ 1913 Webster ]

Levy in mass [ F. levée en masse ], a requisition of all able-bodied men for military service. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To seize property, real or personal, or subject it to the operation of an execution; to make a levy; as, to levy on property; the usual mode of levying, in England, is by seizing the goods. [ 1913 Webster ]

To levy on goods and chattels, to take into custody or seize specific property in satisfaction of a writ. [ 1913 Webster ]